Schedule your Senior Planning Meeting with your Counselor
Prior to your Senior Meeting,
Complete at least Part 1 of the Brag Sheet in MaiaLearning
Meet by November 15th
Goals
Discuss plans and fit (academic, personal, financial)
Ensure mix of reach, target, safety
Work on or finalize college list
Counselor Calendly Links:
Admissions Testing
Universities Tab
Move colleges from Considering to Applying OR add colleges directly to Applying tab
Universities - Applying Tab
Indicate App Type:
Common App, Online (Institutional App through college), Other (if applicable)
Indicate Term
Fall 2027
Indicate Application Plan (the deadline should populate)
Early Action, Rolling Decision, Early Decision
All school materials are sent to colleges through MaiaLearning’s secure portal. Counselors/Teachers rely on the deadlines students enter In MaiaLearning to plan and ensure they meet requested deadlines.
Click button on the college slidebar you wish to request
Log into Common App
Common App tab - Education
Enter Los Alamos High School in the Education section
My Colleges Tab
Choose a college
Click Recommenders & FERPA
Complete the FERPA release
In MaiaLearning
Click on Profile (upper right)
Click on Settings
Click “Click here to link account”
Return to Universities
Click button on the college slidebar you wish to request
Complete Self Reported Academic Record (SRAR)
OR
Complete Courses & Grades in Common App
Think of “request transcript” as requesting any school materials -- If you need a transcript AND/OR letter of recommendation, click to “request transcript”
FERPA - Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act -- This must be waived for any school documents to be sent to your colleges.
Sync Maia & Common App Video -- https://vimeo.com/453705510/c5384eb2da
You can find and download your transcript in MaiaDrive -- in the MaiaLearning menu on the left of the screen
Review your college’s requirements -- How many? From whom?
Ask your teacher in person at least 4 weeks (not counting holidays) before your earliest deadline
Complete the “Brag Sheet” MaiaLearning
Enter the Recommendation Request in MaiaLearning (do this as soon as you confirm with the teacher)
Universities Tab → Recommendations Tab
Select
Teacher’s Name
Earliest Deadline
Include a personal note to your teacher
Optional: add your brag sheet (now or update later)
Save
Review if your colleges accept recommendations from adults outside the school
These are requested and submitted through the application (Common App or college-specific application)
Peer recommendations: a select number of colleges will ask for peer recommendations and will provide instructions
Remember to thank your teachers - A handwritten note of thanks goes a long way!
Many colleges will require a Secondary School Report to be completed by your school counselor. To ensure your counselor has the necessary information to complete this and meet your deadlines:
Ensure your colleges are in your Applying List with accurate deadlines
Complete and upload your Brag Sheet in MaiaLearning
Discuss with your counselor at your Senior Planning Meeting
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Colleges accept ACT/SAT equally
Many colleges are continuing test-optional policies (for admission, honors and scholarships)
Review your colleges’ testing policy to determine if you need to send scores, or if they are test-optional (Some majors may require test submission)
Discuss at your Senior Planning Meeting
Student reports scores in Common App or SRAR
Student must order ACT/SAT score reports to be sent from the testing agency to each college
Sends official scores to the college they choose to attend
Fee for each report and school
ACT
SAT
Test-Optional Colleges List
Early Decision
Contract signed through Common App by parent, student and counselor
Mid-semester or Quarter Grades
Report when mid-year grades are available (early February)
If your college rep requests them earlier, talk with your counselor about options to send “in-progress” grades
FAFSA/CSS Profile
FAFSA - Available Oct 1
CSS Profile - Opens Oct 1; deadlines vary by college
Portfolio
May be required if applying to Visual or Performing Arts programs/schools
Interview
May be required/recommended at high selective colleges
Pay attention to info from the college on how to request or schedule interviews
FAFSA
CSS Profile
CSS Profile School List
https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
CHECK YOUR EMAIL: Regularly check your School Email as well as the email you use for applications (should be different from your school email) for updates and important information from your colleges.
ESSAYS: Your essay is your chance to introduce yourself personally to the admissions committee. You are more than your classes, grades and test scores, even your activities. Your essay will make the connection between “you” as reflected on your transcript, and “you” the person you are: future college student. Make it honest, sincere and personal. The essay is also your writing sample. This is your chance to show a college why and how you are a “fit”, and you will work on these essays in your Senior English Class.
RESUME: It is a good idea to complete an activity resume listing your Work Experience, Leadership Roles, Sport and Activities Participation, Volunteer Activities and Community Service. It’s a great way to showcase your passions and to tell admission counselors not only what you contributed to each activity, but also to explain what you learned and how you grew from the activity. Keep it short: 1-2 sentences for each activity, but these sentences can set you apart.
RESOURCES: Refer to your School Counseling Schoology course, MaiaLearning, and School Counseling Website for all updated senior information.
Check your SPAM/Junk Folders
Work equally hard on supplemental essays and short answer questions for Common App colleges
MaiaLearning has a great Resume Building Template you can use!